Lucas County, Ohio: USDA programs and conservation funding

364
Farms & Ranches
76K
Acres in Agriculture
209
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$246K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Flowering Plants, Potted
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Lucas County, Ohio has 364 farms working 76,149 agricultural acres (average 209 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $0.2 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Lucas County

Lucas County lies in the Erie-Huron Lake Plain (MLRA 99) region. Elevation averages about 573 feet.

Lucas County averages 34.2 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 275 days. Annual mean temperature is 51.1°F.

Lucas County's agricultural base centers on corn, soybeans, and hogs. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 364 farms working 76,149 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 114 head.


Quick Facts

RegionNorthwest Ohio
Top CommoditiesCorn, Soybeans, Floriculture, Hogs, Vegetables, Wheat

Current Conditions

Drought status: None (None).

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

Your Local USDA Offices

Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS (conservation programs like EQIP and CSP) and FSA (loans, disaster assistance, farm numbers). Here are the offices serving Lucas County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

240 W Lake St, Oak Harbor, OH 43449

(419) 898-6431

This county also has 1 additional FSA office. View all offices

Office info is from USDA’s published directory. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.

What to do when you call: Ask to schedule a meeting with a conservation planner (for EQIP/CSP) or a loan officer (for FSA programs). Mention the type of operation you run and what improvements you're considering.


Programs for Lucas County Operations

Based on Lucas County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Programs support urban and peri-urban agriculture development while protecting remaining high-quality agricultural land from development pressure. The county emphasizes sustainable production practices, local food system development, and water quality protection for Lake Erie and Maumee River systems.

Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.


Local Conservation Priorities

Each county's NRCS Local Working Group sets the conservation practices that score highest for EQIP funding. Knowing your county's priorities before you apply can significantly improve your ranking.

How to find your county's priorities:

  • Call your local NRCS office and ask: "What practices is the Local Working Group prioritizing this year?"
  • Ask which EQIP ranking pool your operation fits (there may be separate pools for livestock, cropland, forestry, etc.)
  • Check your state NRCS website for published ranking criteria

Counties Bordering Lucas County

Lucas County shares borders with Lenawee County, Michigan, Monroe County, Michigan, Fulton County, Ohio, Henry County, Ohio, Ottawa County, Ohio, and Wood County, Ohio. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Lucas County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Ohio guide: Ohio Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.26
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.46
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Lucas County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.